Evolution from a sick building to a well office

In 1984, The World Health Organization reported that up to 30% of buildings worldwide may have "Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS) meaning that occupants may experience acute health and discomfort issues linked to time spent in a building although no specific illness or cause can be identified and usually related to poor indoor air quality. Less than a decade later in 1993, Rob Watson founded the LEED Green Building Rating System of the USGBC. Indoor air quality is required criteria for earning credits, and the topic was expanded well beyond HVAC to include such matters as VOC, mold and fresh air intake/filtration. The impact of LEED has been significant. Fast forward 20 years to 2013 and the connection between wellness and air quality now embraces the whole human and all iterations of "wellness" ranging from nutritional food, fitness centers and showers for people who bike or walk to work. A wellness office is a retention and marketing strategy. A few simple steps will have your staff happily relating to your wellness office: * Set up a health and wellness in the workplace committee and designate a coordinator to implement. * Develop good communications training, appraisal and mentoring. * Share health and wellness in the workplace activities and resources with other local workplaces. * Ensure healthy options are available in cafeteria and vending facilities. * Provide on-site classes like yoga before work/lunch/breaks/after work. Nadine Cino, LEED AP, is CEO and co-inventor of the Tyga-Box System, New York, N.Y.